THE Governor of Vava'u, Noble Luani (50) is confirmed to have passed away suddenly early this morning, May 12, at his residence in Neiafu, Vava'u.

The Governor's Office at Vava'u confirmed his death. It is planned that his body would be flown to Tongatapu later in the week for his funeral.

Noble Luani was appointed as the Governor of Vava'u on July 1, 2009 in a ceremony held at his home 'Tali ki Vava'u' in Nuku'alofa.

Prior to his appointment as Governor of Vava'u, Luani had been a Vava'u Noble's Representative to the Tonga Legislative Assembly.

After gaining a BSc Political Science (USA) he joined the Tongan civil service in 1984, and in 1990 was promoted to senior tourist officer with the Tonga Visitor's Bureau. He became the Deputy Director of Tourism in 1998.

He married Hon. Luseane Luani, a daughter of Baroness Tuputupu and the late Baron Vaea. They have three children, two boys and one girl.

The estates of Noble Luani are Nakolo and Malapo in Tongatapu and Tefisi in Vava'u.